Stuart questionable for Game 1; Babcock to throw out first pitch

Update from Wednesday's practice: The Wings said defenseman Brad Stuart remains in San Jose because his wife hasn't given birth yet. He'll stay there until the baby is born, so his status for Game 1 Thursday remains in doubt. If Stuart isn't back in time, Andreas Lilja, who's been practicing with Niklas Kronwall, will go back into the lineup. Also, Pavel Datsyuk returned to practice after missing a day with a flu. Everyone else practiced, including Kirk Maltby (pulled hamstring), who said he's still a few days away from being cleared.

Said coach Mike Babcock about Stuart: "He's got to be with his wife. That's his first priority, we're his second priority.''

Babcock, meanwhile, is throwing out the first pitch at tonight's Tigers game.

"I went home last night and worked on it,'' Babcock said. "I told my kids I was going to gun one right into the dugout just for entertainment. They're all mortified like I'd embarrass them like that.''